Class Activities 8

Introduction: IN MEMORY OF NATURE

I came across this lesson plan from Ken Schwab (USA) and appropriated the lesson plan to suit my needs and outcomes within the NSW Syllabus. So from week 2 I used another lesson plan by "Stuck in the Mud Pottery" - an Art Teacher from Warrensburg (USA) New York | Janelle < http://stuckinthemudpottery.blogspot.com/2010/12/monochromatic-painting.html > thank you for allowing others to view and access your lesson plans to make the world a better place!

Aim

"Pictorial Concerns" is a unit created in New Zealand taught at Kelston Boys High School The idea came from Form 6 Class 1999 | an example of this work is given. This is a unit based on basic (structural) use and skill are involved helping students develop those artistic skills needed. The Thematic approach could be anything, but I'm using Nature / Landscapes but using pictorial concerns to develop an abstract work influenced by cubism, but I work backward to create original artworks without influence. You will discover this as we progress.

Week 1 | 1 – 4 Periods | 19/07 Approx

Class Activities: (Colour – using three black , white and blue)

Introduction to printing is given to the students. Students will be given a set of drawings developing pictorial concerns:

• Repetition

• Composition

• Layering

• Perspective

•  Abstraction

• Exaggeration

•  Colour

•  Positive/negative

• Simplicity

• Complexity

• Contrast

•  Movement, etc...

1. Students will explore their drawings investigating ideas, issues to visually displaying pictorial concerns.

2.  Students will become familiar with drawing in and drawing out. They will also demonstrate the use of images through a series of works and three processes of printmaking.

3. Students are also encouraged to use a combination of a variety of mix media and the understanding of re-working images to form new ones.

4. Introduction to Cubism discusses with students using worksheets provided.

Work Required: 

Six A5 exploratory drawings using mixed media printing or dry medium (pastels, charcoal, mungo, pastels, pencil, pen etc...)

From the six A5 drawings exploratory drawings exploring three printing techniques shown previously during the Term. You must display a more in-depth understanding of pictorial concerns.

Week 2 - 6  | 8 Periods

How does this relate to Pictorial Concerns? Ken's lesson plan helped my students to look at colour, composition, positive, negative, complexity, contrast, etc. I thought it was a good way to introduce an artist model affiliating cubism and contrast of minimal colours to help students to learn about the properties of colour theology.

Disclaimer: 

I take no credit for this lesson plan but I marvel at the ideas of other teachers around the world that contribute to students learning: Ken's Web Site: http://www.artteacherplans.com/

The study of letters and its uses for graphic design is called Typography. Letters come in many styles and shapes having flat even spacing called Gothic, thick and thin letters called Roman. Using serifs, flourishes, and scripts, lettering can be used for design as well as the function of communication. The right style and placement can be the most important thing in an advertisement or brochure. I want to use letters as a design element. Looking for the different styles or fonts can be fun, and some letters just look good as a design. We will be using color schemes and hard-edged painting to create this work as well as sponge and relief.

Decide on the format- Vertical or Horizontal. Next consider the shape, long and narrow or rectangular or even circular. This size will fit onto a 15" x 20“ (38 x 51 cm) board. Get some newsprint, rulers, compasses, triangles, pencils and three sheets of newsprint.

Look at the format and by using the division of thirds choose a focal point or area of emphasis. Begin with a few straight lines to divide the format and create a division of space. Add more lines using a variety of space between lines. Have some of the lines go across the others creating more shapes and giving it some horizontal movement. Repeat this until there are more lines in the area of emphasis and less towards the edges.

Or

(incorporating the rule of thirds)

Week 3 | 1 – 4 Periods 

Choose letter font or type cases from some of the books in the room and from this handout. These can be distorted and sized to fit in spaces or go over more than one line. Be mindful of keeping the area of emphasis the most interesting area. Add letters or numbers until you like what you see. Use at least three but I would try top use 5 or more for interest. Keep all of this as outlines.

Week 4 - 5 | 1 – 4 Periods 

Transfer the design onto the illustration board and begin the color scheme process. We will be using any one of these color schemes: Complement, Double Complement, Triad, Split- complement or Analogous. Use the worksheet to experiment with colors and choose 8 to 10 values of colors ranging from almost black to almost white.

This was a good "warm-up/introduction to painting" lesson that was done with my Painting students. Students painted the color wheel using only primary colors and completed a tints and shades worksheet before we began.

Three Analogous plus a Complement- Any three colors next to each other on the color wheel and one of the color’s complements. Black and white for value changes. 

"Stuck in the Mud Pottery" - an Art Teacher from Warrensburg (USA) New York | Janelle < http://stuckinthemudpottery.blogspot.com/2010/12/monochromatic-painting.html >

Mr Tafai Year 8 Students

Mix these colors and save it in small containers with lids. We will be using a lot of these so make enough color. Use the lightest colors in your scheme in the area of emphasis. Each time you use a color, try to go from the top to the bottom to see it used in more than three areas. As you go to the next color in the scheme place them next to the first few and work outward to the sides of the format. Each shape and or letter form will be colored until you get to the outside forms and hopefully, they will be the darkest value. Go back and touch up edges and change colors if need be.

Color Schemes:

Three Analogous plus a Complement- Any three colors next to each other on the color wheel and one of the color’s complements. Black and white for value changes.

Analogous- Any three to five colors located next to each other on the color wheel, plus black and white for value changes and tones of gray.

Week 6 | 1 – 4 Periods 

Depending on the project I select several color schemes, and they use the color wheel to choose the colors and then with that group start mixing and experimenting with the colors that can be made in that scheme.

"Stuck in the Mud Pottery" - an Art Teacher from Warrensburg (USA) New York | Janelle < http://stuckinthemudpottery.blogspot.com/2010/12/monochromatic-painting.html >

Mr Tafai Year 8 Students